Self-opening and closing container cap



Sept. 23, 1930. RUNDELL 1,776,395

SELF OPENING AND CLOSING CONTAINER CAP 1 Original Filed Oct. 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Zinnentor I75 mmd By W dttorneg Sept. 23, 1930. R. R. RUNDELL I SELF OPENING AND CLOSING CONTAINER CAP Original Filed Oct: 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 P'atentjed Sept. 23, 1930v nnymoivn R. RUNDELL, orwA'rnnvILLE, connnc'rrcn'r, ASSIGNOR ro HARRY, BAKER; v OF'MIAMI, FLORIDA;

PATENT OFFICE "slim-OPENING AnncLosmG CONTAINER cAr applicatmafileacam er 15, 1927, Serial No. eeasea' Renewed'October '24, 192a This invention relates to' receptacles, cans condiment holders, or the like, and more espe-.

cially to self opening and closing caps for the top of said receptacles, holders,tor cans designed to contain or dispense powder,granulatedma-terial, or similar goods.

The, objects of the invention are:

taineigor made part of the container, and consists of a: minimum number of parts adapted to be easily and: cheaply manufactured by- I i casting, dies or lathe work and of any nonbreakable. and attractive and variety of Ina-- arias, capable of being quickly assembled and: at alltimescorrectlyandproperly function in sealingthedischarge opening when saidcontainer is-inot in use and insuring an ejection oridischarge of the desired or meas ured amount'of material under all-conditions of service and atmospheric conditions;

Second, to provide a closure of the character above indicatedwhicli is sanitary and will automatically and properly openv or expose the v odischargeopening; or openings through which thecontents of the container or holder escape when said container is turned upside down or automatically return said closure to its usual and seating position to tightly seal said opening whensa-idgc'ontainer assumes its "normalyposition to prevent; access of moisture intoithecontainerwhennot in use.

llhird; to providefayclosure ofthe' character above described which willneject the-material within the gcontainer, in: only predetermined quantities whether, said material is in a pulverized or granulated st-ate or'v formed in lumps or in non flowingz Qr-damp 1 condition due ,to-t-he absorption ofmoisture.

r, Fourth;to provide a c1 surewhich is ca; pable ofbeasy adjiistmentto varythe quantity; of material: ejected? from the interior of N First, to provide aclosu're'of the charactera above indicated which. is capable of be ng made and sold as separate cover fora conof material within the container before passing into the outlet passage.

Sixth, to provide an adjustable or non-adjustable stopper or valve for closing the discharge openinglof a container which is capable'by its contour and weight of not only forcibly ejecting acertain and predetermined :amount of material through said discharge opening, but at the same time seal the discharge opening thus positively checking the flow of any additional material.

Seventh, otherobjects and advantagesof the invention will appear from the detailed description of theseveral parts, manner of as-, sembling the same and their cooperation.

The invention consists of structural characteristics and relative arrangement of the several parts which will be'hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out inthe appendedclaims.

In the two sheets of drawings, in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in the diiferent figures of drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the container orreceptacleprovided with the improved self opening andrclosing stopperor valve;

Figure 2 isan enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the improved stopper or valve in its normal or closed position;

of a modified formof closure removed from g a container a Figure 5 is a topplan View of theform shown in Figure 4; I

Figure 6 is'aview similar to Figure 2 of another form of the invention;

Figure 7 is a top plan View of the closure provided a top or cover 17 which maybe shown in Figure 6 with the valve or stopper removed; 2

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are views similar to Figures 2 and 6 of further modified forms 01 the invention;

Figures 11 and 12 are respectively top plan and side elevation of a possible variation of the inner or ejecting section of the valve orstopper.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and-f3, 15 is the body of the receptacle, container or can which is adapted "to receive the powder-or granulatcd material and may be of any desired shape and material and provided with or without the threads 16', as shown.

Seeured'to the open end of the container 15 by means of threads'16 or otherwise made either by pressing, molding or turning operation and oibakellte, fiber, rubber, celluloid glass, or other suitablematerial or composition, preferably incapable of absorbing moisture.

Within said top; cover or cap is formed a discharge opening 18 formed with a valve seat 1 1 and an inner substantially cylindrical receiving chamber 19 ad] acent to and merg'' ing or contracting 'towards and'cominuni:

eating with the discharge opening 18, as

shown in Figure 2, through which the contents of the containeror receptacle are-permitted to discharge ently described; a 7 c Loosely disposed within and seated in said discharge opening 18 and receivingchamber 19 spro-v1ded-a gravity or automatically. op.

erated' valve or'stopper 20, preferably consistingof two substantially cone-shaped sections 21 and 22 whose bases 23 and2 1 are oil a greater diameter than 'theno-rmal diaineter i'the discharge opening 18. The base 23 of the upper section21 is exterior of the top or cap 17, and the sides of the section 21 under and adjacent to the base 23 rest in seat 1 1, and its apex 25 18 within said chamber 19, w'hilethe base 245 o ftlie' lower or Weighted section 22' is within s 31d loosely sliding in the'chanib'er 19,- and isconnected to the apex- 25 of the upper section 21 by means of threaded 1311126 engaginga threaded socket in said inner apex 25; as shown inFigure 2.

This separable and adjustable 7 connection betweenthe sections 21and22notonly en Y Y ables the assen'ibling of the same to assume the relations with respect to each other and the chamber 19 and discharge opening 18,

as shown in Figure 2, but at the same time in the manner'to be'pre's-- i circular outer edge28 of the base for purposes of varying the quantity'of material ejected from the container by said section" 22 to be later described.

The plane of the base2d of the lower section 22 may be dished, as shown, and its periphery or outer rim '27 'is preferably formed with a sharp or cutting edge to make a close contact with thew-( lls, ofgthe chain-i her. 19 and'at the same time easily'eutthrough or d' a ation ofth e container. in I The apex 29 of the lower section; 22 is made pointed so that it willpierce and break up any lumps formed in the granulated o-r pul v'erulent material to' be dispensed or rlis charged when the container is inverted and the adjustable upper, and lower sections 21 and 22 maybe made'of' any weighty-mater al,

as steel, lead, or other metal, or their alloys-5g or of bakelite; fiber, or other "composition, or

charge opening 18 or va'lve' 'sefctions 21 and 2a Figures 4 and-5 same invention as 7 shown and described with referencetO Figures 1 and 2', except there is disclosed, a topfor covefl'ZO-madeof metal in" which its upperirustr'dshapedsection I show substantiallythe;

con binationoct said metalsj-andcompositions and preierably of any material which is'not hygroscopic thereby preventing the CllS ,90 charged material fronrsti'ckmg to "the d1s-- 171 as having a discharge'opening f172fand or stopper to be pushed or forced through the discliarge opening 172'- and assume the position shown-- in F1 'gu re' l,' after the sections pesitio n-as 17 1 springback to their normal will be readily understood provided preferably with four slits 173 which form four-yielding sections -lll s'o as to per--" mit the upper section 211 of the valve 201 a The valve orstopper 201 employed in modification is substantially of thesame con struction' and made of the same m'aterial or materials as that disclosed"with-respect to; Figures 1 and 2,'and needs' no furtl1e 7-cli's'- closure, and is preferably made of one piece;

- Figures 6 and 7 show substantially the same organizat on and arrangement of elementsa's explained w th reference-toFigures 1 and 2.

except that. the cover or top202 is provided with a disehargeopening203 and a valveseat 204i and asreceivingor discharge chamber 205 having at the position showna shut-off "collar or shoulder 206 havingzradially projecting lugs 207. The gravity operated valve or stopper 200 used in connection withqthis modification is substantially the same incon struction and capable of the same adjustment as the valve 20 describedwith respect to-F-ig- Ures 1 and 2, except that the lower cone section 208' is made longer to add; weight," if found desirable, and its base 209 is adapted to engage and bes'eate'd against the underside of I '75 tegrate the material pass ng through tl e chamber 19 during-thedischarging Oper 809 of section 3080f stopper 307 reciprocates in the chamber 305,'and thereby control the" T the annular shoulder tr coll'ar'206 to shut off the discharge of'therrrateria-l'whil'e the lugs I 207 actas guides for'thethreaded medial sec- 7 -v tion 2l0to properly-align and operate the valve or stopper 200 whenthecontainer is reversed ejection of the; material is be ing effected.

Figure 8 ea modification of the same gen-- 7 eralconstruction as shownand described I to with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 6, except that the closure orcove'r 302 having discharge opening 303 and seat 304 is provided with a receiving chamber 305-whichislengthened pointed s'ection308 of the valve'307' passes through the same in'its movementtowards the bottom of the container.

r The valve 307 is'of the sameconstruction I andpermits its sections tobe-adjusted relatively to each other 'as the valves heretofore explained to regulate thedistance the base amount of 'materialfejected through the disch'arge'opening 303. a

Figure 9shows the same construction and arrangement as described with reference to Figure 8 with respecttothe closure or cover 402 having discharge opening 403 and'lseat 404, receiving chamber, 405, valve 407, and its adjustable pointed bottom weighted section 408, except that the inner cylindrical wall within the cover 402, and forming the re- 1 iceiving chamber405 is provided" with a thread depression 'or spiral groove 409 to retain or sustain any damp granular material or salt which might be deposited in" said chamber405 and, hence, can be engaged or ejected or thrust out of'the discharge opening 403 on the reciprocation of thelower or bottom weighted section 408 of'the valve 407 aswill be readily'understood.

Figure 10-showsa small type of container or: condiment holder- 155 in which the inside diameter of the passageway501 in the neck of said container, preferably made of glass, is slightly larger in diameter than the- 7 ing polish. In order to assemble theparts, as

shown in Figure 10, there is provided a-clo-' sure or top 502 with adischarge opening 503 7 of an original diameter. slightly larger than the maXimum'diameter of the upper section 509 of the stopper 507. The upper section 509 is then inserted up through from the underside of said closure or top 502 and then the outer side of said opening 503 of the top or closure 502 on which the upper section 509 seats is decreased in diameter by a special tool or by a spinning operation, when said valve or stopper 507 is movablysecured to the closure or top 502 and adapted to reciprocate in the passageway 501 and perform its functions similar to valves or stoppers heretofore described. I a v y This last modification or design is'capable of producing at a minimum cost a salt shaker made of any of the materials herein described, and any of the features shown 01' described with respect to Figures 8, 9 and 11 could be incorporated in the valve'or inside of the neck, if so desired, without in any way changingthe operations or functions of the other features of the invention.

Figures 11 and 12 show a special or modified form of the lower and adjustable bottom weighted section of th'e'valve or stoppeifland could be readily substituted for the weighted or lower sections 308 and 408 shown in'Figures 8 and 9,'and said modified section' 608 is provided with notches or serrations 609 out or formed on the outer edge or periphery of its base or shoulder, as illustrated, said notches or serrations having the functions of not only reducing the friction and permitting the shoulder or base sections to reciprocate or move freely in the receiving chamber, but f atthe same time said notches or serrations assist in breaking up any lumps of the granulatedmaterial or salt formed by dampness and finding its way in said receiving; chamber. 7

Theoperation of the invention is as fol-' lows:

The container or shaker on'being moved quickly in its inverted positioii the pointed end or bottom of the inner or lower and weightedsection of the valve or stopper during its in stroke passes through the granulated material or salt within the container and adjacent to the stopper or valve and owing to thevalve or stopper'being heavier than the material or salt travels faster than the lighter substance, the conical or tapered portion of the lower and weighted section of the valve or stopper diverts the material or salt just ahead of its'shoulderor base in whichthe conical or tapering portion terminates. Onthe out stroke 0t the stopper or valve this shoulder or base carries forward substantially the entire amount of material or saltengaged or picked up by the base or shoulder and at theend of its out stroke forcibly'ejects said material or salt through the discharge opening; and immediately thereafter this base or shoulder seats against the inner cylindrical wall" section adjacent to thedischarge opening,.as shown in Figure 3, and cuts oii' the flow of any additional material or salt from the receiving chamber or container and insures, a uniform and regulable quantity of granular material or salt being discharged at each stroke or re ciprocation of the valve or st0pper ndependent of the condition of said granular material,

or salt as to dryness or dampness, and the quantity or materialejected can be controlled,

by varying the travel of the valve or stopper onthe in? stro,ke, a nd, if desired to obtain a large amount of material quickly,,invert container, and slightly depress valve or stopper ith finger. I

Itwillbeseen from the construction, arrangement and cooperation of the elements comprising the presentinvention and manner of using thesame, that although the same is simple and inexp'ensive'to manufacture, the

same'fully and efiiciently carries outal'l the functions and operat onsand has all the ad vantages recited in the statement of inven- 7 tion, and that the container or receptacle plished.

equipped Withthe disclosed valve or stopper Willretain granularmaterial, as sugar, ,dry longer thanheretofore and discharge or eject, saidmaterial or salt no matter how damp, is sanitary and the quantity of discharged material at each operation is unifo 111 and, it

so desired, said discharge can be quickly varied bymeans ofadjustments easily accomlt is also obviousmany changesjor modifications would readily suggest themselves, or may be resortedtowithout depart ng from the spirit and essentials of the invention, and, therefore, I do not wish to be lim ted to the exact combination and arrangement herestruction.

What I claim is V 1. A container and dispenser, comprising a receptacle having a discharge openlng with j a circular edge and a receiving chamber Within said receptacle and adjacent to said opening, a stopper reciprocating Within and con-- trolling said discharge opening and consisting of .two imperiorate substantially coneshaped sections Whose bases are incapable of passing through said discharge opening, the base or one of'said cone-shaped sections be ing'exteriorof the receptacle and its apex Within said chamber and its intermediate conical portion adapted to be seated on sa1d tion being rslidingly mounted jwith a small clearance vvithin said chamber and directly attached to the inner apex of the other coneshaped section, and its outer circular periph ery having an edge adapted to be seated with} in andagainst the'Wall of thechamber adj acent tothe circular, edge of the discharge opening and eject the material-Within said receiving chamber When saidcontaineris in-l verted and cut off the discharge through said opening. v V. a s

2. A container and dispenser, comprising a receptacle having a discharge openinglwith a circular edge and a receivingchamber Within said receptacle and adjacent to said ope'ning, a stopper reciprocating Within and controlling saiddischarge opening and consisting of tWO imperforate substantiallycone-shaped sections Whosebases are incapable of pass ng through said discharge] open1ng, thebase of one of said cone-shapedsectionsbeing ex terior of the receptacleand its; apex Within said chamber andits intermediate conical portion adapted to be seated on said circular edge, andthe base of theother section being, dished andgweighted and sl dingly' mounted with a.- small clearance within said chamber and directly attached to the innerapex ofthei other cone-shaped section, anditsouter cir} cular periphery having an edge adaptedito be seated within and againstjthe Wall of the chamber adjacent to the circular edge of the dlscharge, open ng and e ect the material withinsaid receiving chamber When said container isinverted and'cut oil the discharge through said opening. a

, 3. A container and dispenser,comprising a receptacle having acircular discharge-openn'i'g with 7 ani annular inner edge and a receiv- 111g chamber wlthin said receptacle and 311121.

cent tosaid opening, a self opening and ClOS- .ing valve wlthin and for controlhng said CllS-- charge opening and consisting of two im; perforate substantially cone-shaped sections 'WllQSQ bases are of. agreaterqdiameter than circular edge, vand thebase. of the .othersecthat oit'the dischargeopening, the base of one a of saidsections being exteriorof the receptacle and its apex Withinsaid chamber and its intermediate conical portion; adapted to be seated on said annular edge, and the baseof the other section beinglslidingly mounted Within said chamber With a small clearance, and directly attached to and adjustable with respect to, the apex of the other cone-shaped section. to vary the distance between the two bases of said cone-shaped sections,'and its outer circular periphery having an edge" adapted to be seated Within and against the Wall vof the chamber adjacent to the annular inner edge of the discharge opening and eject the material Within. said receiving chamber 'When saidreceptacle is inverted and out 011' the discharge through said opening.

4;. A container and dispenser, comprising v receptacle having a discharge opening with v; a circular edge and a receiving chamber prociprocating within and controlling said dis-' charge opening andconsistlng of two 1mperforate substantially cone-shaped sections whose bases are incapable of passing through said discharge opening, the base of one of said cone-shaped sections being exterior ofthe re- 'ceptacle and its apex within saidchamber and its intermediate conical portion adapted to be seated on said circular edge, and the base of the other section being slidingly mounted with a small clearance within said chamber and directly attached to theinner apexof; the other cone-shaped section, and its outer circular periphery having an edge adapted to be seated within and against the wall of the chamber adjacent to the circular 'edgeof the discharge opening and eject the [material withinsaid receiving chamber when said container is inverted and cut off the dis- 7 "charge through saidopening.

5. 'A receptacle for dispensing comminuted material, comprising a container provided. Wltll a discharge throat terminating at its outer'end in a restricted thin edgeddischarge orifice, and a plunger adapted to reciprocate loosely in said throat, said plunger having a surface capable of supporting small quanti- ,ties of saidmaterial when the container is in upright position andmovable to the edge of said orifice to discharge the material when the plunger is reciprocated and prevent the material carried by the plunger from packing below said edge. v V j 6. A receptacle for dispensing comminuted material, comprising a container provided with a discharge throat terminating atits' outer end in a restricted thin edged dis- 7 charge orifice, a plunger adapted to recipro cate loosely in said throat, said plunger having a surface capable of supporting small quantities of said material when the container is in upright position and 'movable to the edge of said orifice to dis charge the material when the plunger is reciprocated and prevent the material carried by the plunger from packing below said edge, and means for limiting the throw of the'plunger in each direction of movement.

7. A receptacle for dispensing comminuted material, comprising a container provided with a discharge throat terminating at its outer end in a restricted thin edged discharge orifice and a plunger adapted to reciprocate vloosely in said throat, said plunger having an inner and an outer portion disposed respectively on opposite sides of the orifice and incapable of passing therethrough, the inner portion comprising a surface capable of supportingsmall quantities of said material when the container is in upright-position and movable to the edge of the material, comprising a contain-er having a.

discharge throat terminating at its outer end in a thin edgeddischarge "orifice, a plunger loosely reciprocable within" the throat and having a surface adapted to seat against the edge of the orifice when the con-v tainer is in inverted; position, said surface being capable of supporting small quantities of, said material when the container isin uprightposition, and an exteriorly disposed stopper connected to the plungerand adapted to closethe orifice when the container is in upright position. v c 9. A' receptacle for dispensing comminuted material, comprising a container having a dischargethroat terminating at its outer end in athin edged discharge orifice, a plunger loosely reciprocable within the throat and having a surface adapted to seat against the edge of the orifice when thecontainer is in inverted position, said surface being capable of supporting small quantities of said material when the container is in upright position, an exteriorly disposed stopper connected to the plunger and adapted to close the orifice when the container is in upright position, and means for adjusting the spacing of said stopper with respect to said surface.

10. A receptacle for dispensing comminuted material, comprising a container havinga discharge throat terminating at its outer end in a thin edged discharge orifice, a plunger loosely reciprocable within the throat and having a surface adapted to seat against the edge of the orifice when the container is in inverted position, said surface being capable of supporting small quantities of said material when the container is in upright position, and an exteriorly disposed stopper connected to the plunger and adapted'to close the orifice whenthe con tainer is in upright position, the plunger and having surfaces disposed respectively on op-' posite sides of the orifice to limit the throw of the plunger and seat against the edge of the orifice when the plunger is at opposite limits of its movement, the inner one of said surfaces being capable of supporting a small quantity of said material when the container is in upright position, and beingsubstant 20 signature.

ally in engagement with the edge o'fthe oriflee when inflseali'ng position. i 12. A receptacle for dispensing cornininuted 7 material, comprising a container formed ith a discharge throat terminating atlits outer end in a restricted thin edged discharge orifice, a closure member loosely reciprocable in the throat and" projecting through the orifice, said closure member hav- 1O ing surfaces disposed;respectively" on" oppositesides' of the orifice to limit the throw "of/the plunger and seat against the edge of the orifice When the plunger is at opposite limits ofits movement, the closure member 15 having an edge adapted to scrape" saidmateri'al from the throat'and discharge tlie'same through' the 'orificeWhen the container is shaken in inverted position. o I In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my RAYMOND n. RUNDELL. 

